Desktop tremor joystick

ABSTRACT

The desktop tremor joystick of the present invention is for games that require additional special effect. The user can experience tremor from the handle or steering wheel during game play. This invention is low cost but provides high entertainment value.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This present invention relates to a desktop joystick game controller; especially about installing tremor motor inside a joystick handle or steering wheel that produces tremor during game play that adds entertainment value to the traditional desktop joystick controller.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] With improved technology, personal computers and video games are constantly becoming newer and better. In addition to increased speed and better picture quality, more and more game titles are flooding the market. At the same time, the joysticks are upgraded to keep abreast with the latest gaming software. FIG. 1 shows a lateral view of a joystick used with a personal computer; wherein the body proper 4 of the joystick 10 can sit on the desk top, and the handle 1 can be manipulated in the forward, backward and both left and right sideway directions to produce corresponding directional signal output to the computer. A button 2 of the body proper 4 can produce its signals to the computer. The computer can process signals from the joystick 10 and show the game status on the monitor.

[0003] Generally, the joysticks for use in video games are either palmtop and desktop. Palmtop joysticks are generally light in weight and to be held by both hands when used; they generally do not have handles but provide a number of buttons for game control during game play. The desktop joystick generally provides a handle or wheel and sits on desk top, as well as buttons for game control; it is larger in size than the palmtop joystick, and generally used for flight or car-race simulation games.

[0004] In the conventional art, the motor of a tremor palmtop joystick is installed in the hand held part, so that the user feels the tremor in the hands. Because of its smaller size, even if a handle is provided in a palmtop joystick, it is usually controlled by thumb only. On the other hand, the desktop joysticks generally are not tremor enabled. No desktop joystick with tremor handle or wheel exists in the current market. The palmtop joysticks are designed for easy handle when in use. The handle or the wheel of a desktop joystick is held when used. Thus, if tremor motor is installed inside the handle or wheel part of a desktop joystick, the user can feel the tremor in his hands just as if using a palmtop joystick.

SOLUTION OFFERED BY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0005] The lack of tremor function in the handle or wheel of the conventional desktop joysticks is a serious drawback to providing the best entertainment. Tremor motors are added inside the handles or wheels to create optimal tremor during game play for greater realistic effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1. A lateral view of the conventional joystick for personal computers.

[0007]FIG. 2. A lateral view of the first instance of embodiment of the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 3. A frontal view of the second instance of embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 4. An elevated view of the third instance of embodiment of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 5. A frontal view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. ?

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, the body proper 4 of the joystick 10 can sit on the desk top. A tremor motor 5 is installed inside a handle 1 which is installed on the body proper 4. Power to the tremor motor 5 is supplied through the connecting cable 6, which connects between the motor 5 and the circuit board 3. A button 2 is also installed on the body proper 4.

[0012] During game play, the user holds the handle 1 in the palms and controls direction signals which are fed into the computer along with the signal output from the button 2. The tremor motor 5 is responsive to the game development and produces tremor in the palms of the user's hands to add realistic effect. Compared to the palmtop joystick, the handle here is rather small to contain a tremor motor, nor is it controlled by palm. So that conventionally no tremor motor is fitted in the handles.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, a left handle 11, right handle 12, a button are fitted in the body proper 4 of the joystick. A tremor motor 5 is fitted inside each of left handle 11 and right handle 12. Power is supplied to motors 5 through the connecting cables 6 which connects between the motors 5 and the circuit board 3.

[0014] During game play, both the right and left handles 11, 12 are held by the user to produce directional signal output which along with the signal output from the button are fed into the video game player. The motors 5 can produce tremor to the hands of the user in response to the game plot development to add realistic effect.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 4 & 5, a handle 1, a disk 7, linear switch 8 and button 2 are fitted in the body proper 4 of the desktop joystick. Tremor motors 5 are fitted concentrically in both the handle 1 and the disk 7. Power to the motors 5 is supplied through the connecting cables 6 & 9 which connect between the motors 5 and the circuit board 3. Further, the disk 7 can replace the conventional steering wheel, and can be easily rotated to the right or left single handedly.

[0016] During game play, the handle 1 and the disk 7 are held by the user to control directions. Button 2 can output signals. The linear switch 8 can produce linear signals in response to the applied force (generally can be a brake). These signals are produced and fed into the video game player. The tremor motors 5 then are activated in response to the game plot development to add realistic effect.

[0017] The types of games to which this joystick are suitable for should be mentioned. Handle 5 is generally designed for flight simulation games. Button 2 can have various functions such as start, select, fire, confirm, etc. Steering wheel 7 is for race-car simulation games. Linear switch 8 can control varying magnitude such as brake or acceleration. The tremor motor can be adapted to meet various needs such as impact, starting, collision, crashing, etc., as the game plot develops. The actual applications are not limited to instances mentioned above.

[0018] By this detailed description of the preferred embodiment, those skilled in this art can fully understand this invention and can make various modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims. For instance, tremor motors can also fit inside the control handle of a video game stand in public display.

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The desktop joystick of the present invention adds entertainment value to video games played on video player sets or computers. Compared to the conventional joysticks, the increase in cost is slight while the increase in added entertainment value is significant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A desktop tremor joystick suited for operation on a plane, comprising a handle and a tremor device housed inside said handle, the operation of said handle held by user to control directions enables a circuit board to produce signals fed into a video game player, and said circuit board can enable said tremor device to cause said handle to tremble in response to the game plot development.
 2. A desktop tremor joystick, comprising a steering wheel, and a tremor device installed inside said wheel that can cause said wheel to tremble.
 3. A desktop joystick as recited in claim 1 or 2 , wherein said tremor device is a motor.
 4. A desktop joystick as recited in claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a linear switch, and said tremor device can respond to said linear switch to produce tremor. 